Schools 'get off lightly' in pre-budget report, but universities prepare for cuts (Guardian Education 09/12/09)
Education hit again by this stupid, stupid government. They continue to fund "gimmick" projects supposedly aimed at increasing participation in education (at all levels) and then cut the provision of that education by strangling the funding. Remember that it's this bunch which cut funding of any non-accredited adult education and cut funding of NVQ L2 and L3 FE courses. This lot made Charles Clarke secretary for education where he famously said
"I don't mind there being some medievalists around for ornamental purposes, but there is no reason for the state to pay for them"
They've pursued the idea that learning should only be vocational; it should have a utilitarian value rather then the simple joy of knowledge. They look askance at the growth of the "Chav" but they've created a culture where wishing to learn something aesthetic generates accusations of being a "boff". The bullying which happens in school playgrounds is simply an echo of the government's rhetoric. They've created meaningless qualifications in order to claim that education is working while cutting funding on flagship projects like "Train to gain".
They've bankrupt the country and, along the way, are bankrupting education.
